Gunmen kill palace guard in Plateau State

There was a pandemonium in Mangu local council of Plateau State yesterday, following gruesome murder of a palace guard attached to the District Head of Mangu, His Royal Highness John Putmang Hirse.

A source close to the palace told journalist that the gunmen suspected to be killer herdsmen, at about 10:45 pm on Thursday invaded the house of the palace guard identified as Mr. Baba Wetle at Alohom in Halle ward of Mangu District of Mangu local government area of the state and shot him at a close range.

The source stated that the son of the palace guard who tried to up a defense and protect his father from being killed was shot on the leg and now recieving treatment at Mangu General Hospital.

It was gathered that prior to his death, the palace guard had a misunderstanding with some group of herdsmen in the community over an attempt to retrieve the land he gave they to settle on some years back.

A member of the family who spoke on condition of anonymity further disclosed that the gunmen who killed the palace guard said they have come to silence him over his constant harassment of their people and for using his position to intimidate them.

As a result of the unfortunate incident, the popular Friday Mangu market in the local government was grounded as traders refused to turn up for fear of reprisal attack by the natives.mostly youths who had earlier protested in the morning before the interventions of the District Head and other stakeholders to prevent breakdown down of law and order.

When contacted the State Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Ubah Gabriel Ogaba who confirmed the incident said the Command has commenced investigation into the incident adding that those responsible for the dastardly act will be brought to book.